Method for controlling the output power of a power supply of electronic cigarette and electronic cigarette

ABSTRACT

The present application provide a method for controlling the output power of a power supply of an electronic cigarette and an electronic cigarette, including following steps: controlling the power supply to output a first power P 1  in a first time period in a first inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output a second power P 2  in a subsequent second time period, where P 1 &gt;P 2 ; continuously detecting inhalation airflow; controlling the power supply to output a third power P 3  in the inhalation airflow flowing process, where P 1 &gt;P 3 ; controlling the power supply to output the first power P 1  in the first time period in the inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output the second power P 2  in the second time period, where P 1 &gt;P 2 ; controlling the power supply to stop outputting power. According to the method of present application, energy consumption is slow, and aerosols are generated uniformly.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority from the ChinaPatent Application No. 201910028649.7, filed on 11 Jan. 2019, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present application relates to the technical field of electroniccigarettes, and in particular, to a method for controlling the outputpower of a power supply of an electronic cigarette and an electroniccigarette.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electronic cigarette is a product that is capable of heating tobaccotar to generate an aerosol for a user to inhale, which generallyincludes a power supply, a heating element, and a controller, and usesthe controller to control the power supply to output power to theheating element, so that the heating element can heat and vaporize thetobacco tar according to the output power to generate the aerosol.

In the prior art, a method for controlling the output power of a powersupply of an electronic cigarette has defects regarding the fast energyconsumption of the power supply, uniform quantity of generated aerosols,and poor user experience.

SUMMARY

In order to resolve the foregoing technical problems, embodiments of thepresent application provide a method for controlling the output power ofa power supply of an electronic cigarette, including the followingsteps:

S1: when inhalation airflow is first detected, controlling the powersupply to output a first power P1 to a heating element in a first timeperiod T1 in a first inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output asecond power P2 to the heating element in a second time period T2immediately following the first time period T1 in the first inhalationairflow flowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing of the firstinhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputspower for a time period greater than a first threshold TM, controllingthe power supply to stop outputting power to the heating element; and

S2: continuously detecting the inhalation airflow; and if a timeinterval between a time at which the inhalation airflow is detected anda time at which the power supply previously stops outputting power tothe heating element is less than or equal to a second threshold TN,controlling the power supply to output a third power P3 to the heatingelement in the inhalation airflow flowing process, where P1>P3; or if atime interval between a time at which the inhalation airflow is detectedand a time at which the power supply previously stops outputting powerto the heating element is greater than the second threshold TN,controlling the power supply to output the first power P1 to the heatingelement in the first time period T1 in the inhalation airflow flowingprocess, and to output the second power P2 to the heating element in thesecond time period T2 immediately following the first time period T1 inthe inhalation airflow flowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing ofthe inhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuouslyoutputs power for a time period greater than the first threshold TM,controlling the power supply to stop outputting power to the heatingelement.

Further, the controlling method further includes the following steps:start from a moment at which the power supply stops outputting power tothe heating element, when the inhalation airflow is not detected in aduration greater than a third threshold TO, controlling the electroniccigarette to enter a standby state or a turn-off state, where TO≥TN.

Further, 15 seconds≤TN≤60 seconds, preferably, 25 seconds≤TN≤40 seconds,and more preferably, TN=30 seconds.

Further, starting from a moment at which the power supply stopsoutputting power to the heating element, when the inhalation airflow isnot detected in a duration exceeding the second threshold TN, it isdetermined that the time interval between the time at which theinhalation airflow is detected and the time at which the power supplypreviously stops outputting power to the heating element is greater thanthe second threshold TN, and timing is stopped.

Further, 2 seconds≤TM≤10 seconds.

Further, 6 W≤P1≤15 W, preferably, 7.2 W≤P1≤9 W; and 4.5 W≤P2≤9 W,preferably, 6 W≤P2≤8 W.

Further, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤2 seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤1 second,and more preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤0.6 seconds; and 0.1 seconds≤T2≤4seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T2≤3.5 seconds.

Further, 4.5 W≤P3≤9 W, preferably, 6 W≤P3≤8 W; and more preferably,P2=P3.

Further, the first time period T1 is started for timing since a momentat which the inhalation airflow is detected.

An embodiment of the present application further provides an electroniccigarette including a controller, the controller including a processorand a memory communicatively connected to the processor; programinstructions are stored in the memory; and the processor is capable ofimplementing, by executing the program instructions, one of the methodsfor controlling the output power of a power supply of an electroniccigarette.

Beneficial effects of the embodiments of the present application are asfollows. According to the method for controlling the output power of apower supply of an electronic cigarette provided in the embodiments ofthe present application, energy of the power supply is consumed slowly,an aerosol can be generated more uniformly, and a user experience isenhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the output power of apower supply of an electronic cigarette according to an embodiment ofthe present application; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an electronic cigaretteaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages ofthe present application more comprehensible, the present application isdescribed in further detail below with reference to specific embodimentsand the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art know that thepresent application is not limited to the accompanying drawings and thefollowing embodiments.

Embodiment 1: Method for Controlling the Output Power of a Power Supplyof an Electronic Cigarette

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, this embodiment provides a method forcontrolling the output power of a power supply of an electroniccigarette, including the following steps:

S1: when inhalation airflow is first detected, controlling the powersupply to output a first power P1 to a heating element in a first timeperiod T1 in a first inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output asecond power P2 to the heating element in a second time period T2immediately following the first time period T1 in the first inhalationairflow flowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing of the firstinhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputspower for time period greater than a first threshold TM, controlling thepower supply to stop outputting power to the heating element, where

6 W≤P1≤15 W, preferably, 7.2 W≤P1≤9 W;

0.1 seconds≤T1≤2 seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤1 second, and morepreferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤0.6 seconds;

4.5 W≤P2≤9 W, preferably, 6 W≤P2≤8 W;

0.1 seconds≤T2≤4 seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T2≤3.5 seconds; and

2 seconds≤TM≤10 seconds; and

S2: continuously detecting the inhalation airflow; and if a timeinterval between a time at which the inhalation airflow is detected anda time at which the power supply previously stops outputting power tothe heating element is less than or equal to a second threshold TN,controlling the power supply to output a third power P3 to the heatingelement in the inhalation airflow flowing process, where P1>P3; or if atime interval between a time at which the inhalation airflow is detectedand a time at which the power supply previously stops outputting powerto the heating element is greater than the second threshold TN,controlling the power supply to output the first power P1 to the heatingelement in the first time period T1 in the inhalation airflow flowingprocess, and to output the second power P2 to the heating element in thesecond time period T2 immediately following the first time period T1 inthe inhalation airflow flowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing ofthe inhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuouslyoutputs power for a time period greater than the first threshold TM,controlling the power supply to stop outputting power to the heatingelement.

4.5 W≤P3≤9 W, preferably, 6 W≤P3≤8 W; more preferably, P2=P3; and

15 seconds≤TN≤60 seconds, preferably, 25 seconds≤TN≤40 seconds, and morepreferably, TN=30 seconds.

Preferably, starting from a moment at which the power supply stopsoutputting power to the heating element, when the inhalation airflow isnot detected in a duration exceeding the second threshold TN, it isdetermined that the time interval between the time at which theinhalation airflow is detected and the time at which the power supplypreviously stops outputting power to the heating element is greater thanthe second threshold TN. In this implementation, when the inhalationairflow is not detected in the duration exceeding the second thresholdTN, timing is stopped for the electronic cigarette, so that power supplyenergy is saved. Because of limitation on a volume and a weight of theelectronic cigarette, the electronic cigarette has a limited powercapacity, saving energy is particularly important, and power supplyenergy consumption may be greatly reduced through this implementation.

Preferably, the controlling method further includes the following steps:starting from a moment at which the power supply stops outputting powerto the heating element, when the inhalation airflow is not detected in aduration greater than a third threshold TO, controlling the electroniccigarette to enter a standby state or a turn-off state. When theelectronic cigarette is in the “standby state”, an inhalation sensorremains an active state, where

TO≥TN.

Preferably, the time for controlling the power supply to output power tothe heating element each time is less than or equal to the firstthreshold TM.

Preferably, 3 seconds≤TM≤6 seconds.

Preferably, the first time period T1 is started for timing since amoment at which the inhalation airflow is detected.

The electronic cigarette is generally in a turn-off state or a standbystate before being used. Each time a user uses the electronic cigarette,the electronic cigarette controls, by detecting first inhalationairflow, the power supply to output power to the heating element in afirst inhalation airflow flowing process in a manner of step S1disclosed in this embodiment, and controls the power supply to outputpower to the heating element during a subsequent using process in amanner of step S2. According to the method for controlling the outputpower of a power supply of an electronic cigarette disclosed in thisembodiment, the speed of generating smoke may be increased during thefirst inhalation, the generated smoke is safer, and the smoke isgenerated uniformly in the first inhalation process and a subsequentusing process, so that energy is saved.

Embodiment 2: Electronic Cigarette

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the electronic cigarette of theembodiment of the present application includes a power supply 10, aheating element 20, an inhalation sensor 30, and a controller 40. Thepower supply 10 can output power to the heating element 20, and theheating element 20 is configured to heat tobacco tar. The heatingelement 20 generates heat after being electrified, to heat the tobaccotar, so that the tobacco tar is vaporized, thereby generating an aerosolfor the user to inhale.

The inhalation sensor 30 is configured to detect inhalation airflow, forexample, an airflow sensor. The inhalation sensor generates a detectionsignal when the inhalation airflow is detected, and the controller 40can obtain the detection signal and uses the detection signal to controlthe power supply of the electronic cigarette to output power to theheating element 20.

In the implementation of the present application, the controller 40 canperform the method for controlling the output power of a power supply ofan electronic cigarette provided in Embodiment 1, and control, accordingto the controlling method, the power supply 10 to output power to theheating element 20. Details are as follows:

S1: When the inhalation sensor 30 first detects inhalation airflow, theinhalation sensor 30 generates a detection signal that represents firstdetected inhalation airflow. The controller 40 obtains the detectionsignal, and the controller 40 controls the power supply 10 to output afirst power P1 to a heating element 20 in a first time period T1 in afirst inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output a second powerP2 to the heating element 20 in a second time period T2 immediatelyfollowing the first time period T1 in the first inhalation airflowflowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing of the first inhalationairflow ends or when the power supply 10 continuously outputs power fora time greater than a first threshold TM, the controller 40 controls thepower supply 10 to stop outputting power to the heating element 20,where

6 W≤P1≤15 W, preferably, 7.2 W≤P1≤9 W;

0.1 seconds≤T1≤2 seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤1 second, and morepreferably, 0.1 seconds≤T1≤0.6 seconds;

4.5 W≤P2≤9 W, preferably, 6 W≤P2≤8 W;

0.1 seconds≤T2≤4 seconds, preferably, 0.1 seconds≤T2≤3.5 seconds; and

2 seconds≤TM≤10 seconds.

S2: The inhalation sensor 30 continuously detects the inhalationairflow, the inhalation sensor 30 generates the detection signal thatrepresents the first detected inhalation airflow, and the controller 40obtains the detection signal. If a time interval between a time at whichthe inhalation sensor 30 detects the inhalation airflow and a time atwhich the power supply 10 previously stops outputting power to theheating element 20 is less than or equal to a second threshold TN, thecontroller 40 controls the power supply 10 to output a third power P3 tothe heating element 20 in the inhalation airflow flowing process, whereP1>P3; or if the time interval between the time at which the inhalationsensor 30 detects the inhalation airflow and the time at which the powersupply 10 previously stops outputting power to the heating element 20 isgreater than the second threshold TN, the controller 40 controls thepower supply 10 to output the first power P1 to the heating element 20in the first time period T1 in the inhalation airflow flowing process,and to output the second power P2 to the heating element in the secondtime period T2 immediately following the first time period T1 in theinhalation airflow flowing process, where P1>P2, and when flowing of theinhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputspower for a time period greater than the first threshold TM, the powersupply is controlled to stop outputting power to the heating element,where

4.5 W≤P3≤9 W, preferably, 6 W≤P3≤8 W; more preferably, P2=P3; and

15 seconds≤TN≤60 seconds, preferably, 25 seconds≤TN≤40 seconds, and morepreferably, TN=30 seconds.

Preferably, starting from a moment at which the power supply 10 stopsoutputting power to the heating element 20, when the inhalation airflowis not detected in a duration greater than the second threshold TN, itis determined that the time interval between the time at which theinhalation airflow is detected and the time at which the power supply 10previously stops outputting power to the heating element 20 is greaterthan the second threshold TN, and timing is stopped. In thisimplementation, when the inhalation airflow is not detected in theduration greater than the second threshold TN, timing is stopped for theelectronic cigarette, so that power supply energy is saved. Because oflimitation on a volume and a weight of the electronic cigarette, theelectronic cigarette has limited power capacity, saving energy isparticularly important, and power supply energy consumption may begreatly reduced through this implementation.

Preferably, the controlling method further includes the following steps.Starting from a moment at which the power supply 10 stops outputtingpower to the heating element 20, when the inhalation airflow is notdetected in a duration greater than a third threshold TO, the controllercontrols the electronic cigarette to enter a standby state or a turn-offstate, and the inhalation sensor remains an active state when theelectronic cigarette is in the “standby state”, where

TO≥TN.

Preferably, the time for controlling the power supply 10 to output powerto the heating element each time is less than or equal to the firstthreshold TM.

Preferably, 3 seconds≤TM≤6 seconds.

Preferably, the first time period T1 is started for timing since amoment at which the inhalation airflow is detected.

By using the method for controlling the output power of a power supplyof an electronic cigarette preferred in this embodiment, the speed ofgenerating smoke may be increased during the first inhalation, thegenerated smoke is safer, and the smoke is generated uniformly in afirst inhalation process and a subsequent using process, so that energyis saved.

Embodiment 3: Electronic Cigarette

The embodiment provides an electronic cigarette including a controller,the controller including a processor and a memory communicativelyconnected to the processor. Program instructions are stored in thememory, and the processor is capable of implementing, by executing theprogram instruction, the method for controlling the output power of apower supply of an electronic cigarette.

The technical effects of the embodiments of the present application aredescribed below.

Due to factors such as user habits or types of tobacco tar, differentusers generally have different first inhalation durations during thefirst inhalation. In view of the user experience, the heating elementshould be heated up quickly during the first inhalation to increase thespeed of initially generating smoke. But if the temperature risesexcessively fast, the temperature is too high, and the temperature of avaporized tobacco tar is too high, a risk of burning the user anddamaging the electronic cigarette would be caused. Based on this, in theembodiments of the present application, a time period for the initialinhalation is divided, including at least a first time period and asecond time period. In the first time period, the power supply iscontrolled to output a high power to enable the heating element to beheated up quickly and accelerate the startup process, which isbeneficial to vaporize the tobacco tar in a relatively short time andgenerate required aerosols. In the second time period, the power supplyis controlled to output a lower power to save electric energy andprolong the service time of the power supply. In a third time period andeach time period obtained after retiming, because the heat of theheating element is not completely dissipated, the power supply iscontrolled to output lower power, which is beneficial to save electricenergy. When each of inhalation duration reaches a threshold, the powersupply is controlled not to output power, which improves the safety ofthe electronic cigarette and protects the electronic cigarette frombeing damaged, and thus the user is protected from being damaged.

The implementations of the present application are described above.However, the present application is not limited to the implementations.Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within thespirit and principle of the present disclosure shall fall within theprotection scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for controlling the output power of apower supply of an electronic cigarette, comprising the following steps:S1: when inhalation airflow is first detected, controlling the powersupply to output a first power P1 to a heating element in a first timeperiod T1 in a first inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output asecond power P2 to the heating element in a second time period T2immediately following the first time period T1 in the first inhalationairflow flowing process, wherein P1>P2, and when flowing of the firstinhalation airflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputspower for a time period greater than a first threshold TM, controllingthe power supply to stop outputting power to the heating element; andS2: continuously detecting the inhalation airflow; and if a timeinterval between a time at which the inhalation airflow is detected anda time at which the power supply previously stops outputting power tothe heating element is less than or equal to a second threshold TN,controlling the power supply to output a third power P3 to the heatingelement in the inhalation airflow flowing process, wherein P1>P3; or ifa time interval between a time at which the inhalation airflow isdetected and a time at which the power supply previously stopsoutputting power to the heating element is greater than the secondthreshold TN, controlling the power supply to output the first power P1to the heating element in the first time period T1 in the inhalationairflow flowing process, and to output the second power P2 to theheating element in the second time period T2 immediately following thefirst time period T1 in the inhalation airflow flowing process, whereinP1>P2, and when flowing of the inhalation airflow ends or when the powersupply continuously outputs power for a time period greater than thefirst threshold TM, controlling the power supply to stop outputtingpower to the heating element.
 2. The method for controlling the outputpower of a power supply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1,wherein the controlling method further comprises the following steps:starting from a moment at which the power supply stops outputting powerto the heating element, when the inhalation airflow is not detected in aduration greater than a third threshold TO, controlling the electroniccigarette to enter a standby state or a turn-off state, wherein TO≥TN.3. The method for controlling the output power of a power supply of anelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 15 seconds≤TN≤60seconds.
 4. The method for controlling the output power of a powersupply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 25seconds≤TN≤40 seconds.
 5. The method for controlling the output power ofa power supply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, whereinTN=30 seconds.
 6. The method for controlling the output power of a powersupply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein startingfrom a moment at which the power supply stops outputting power to theheating element, when the inhalation airflow is not detected in aduration exceeding the second threshold TN, determining that the timeinterval between the time at which the inhalation airflow is detectedand the time at which the power supply previously stops outputting powerto the heating element is greater than the second threshold TN, andstopping timing.
 7. The method for controlling the output power of apower supply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 2seconds≤TM≤10 seconds.
 8. The method for controlling the output power ofa power supply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein6 W≤P1≤15 W; and 4.5 W≤P2≤9 W.
 9. The method for controlling the outputpower of a power supply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1,wherein 7.2 W≤P1≤9 W; and 6 W≤P2≤8 W.
 10. The method for controlling theoutput power of a power supply of an electronic cigarette according toclaim 1, wherein 0.1 seconds≤T1≤2 seconds; and 0.1 seconds≤T2≤4 seconds.11. The method for controlling the output power of a power supply of anelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 0.1 seconds≤T1≤1second; and 0.1 seconds≤T2≤3.5 seconds.
 12. The method for controllingthe output power of a power supply of an electronic cigarette accordingto claim 1, wherein 0.1 seconds≤T1≤0.6 second; and 0.1 seconds≤T2≤3.5seconds.
 13. The method for controlling the output power of a powersupply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 4.5W≤P3≤9 W.
 14. The method for controlling the output power of a powersupply of an electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein 6 W≤P3≤8W.
 15. The method for controlling the output power of a power supply ofan electronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein P2=P3.
 16. Themethod for controlling the output power of a power supply of anelectronic cigarette according to claim 1, wherein the first time periodT1 is started for timing since a moment at which the inhalation airflowis detected.
 17. An electronic cigarette comprising a controller,wherein the controller comprises a processor and a memorycommunicatively connected to the processor; program instructions arestored in the memory; and the processor is capable of implementing, byexecuting the program instructions, a method for controlling outputpower of a power supply of an electronic cigarette comprising: S1: wheninhalation airflow is first detected, controlling the power supply tooutput a first power P1 to a heating element in a first time period T1in a first inhalation airflow flowing process, and to output a secondpower P2 to the heating element in a second time period T2 immediatelyfollowing the first time period T1 in the first inhalation airflowflowing process, wherein P1>P2, and when flowing of the first inhalationairflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputs power for atime period greater than a first threshold TM, controlling the powersupply to stop outputting power to the heating element; and S2:continuously detecting the inhalation airflow; and if a time intervalbetween a time at which the inhalation airflow is detected and a time atwhich the power supply previously stops outputting power to the heatingelement is less than or equal to a second threshold TN, controlling thepower supply to output a third power P3 to the heating element in theinhalation airflow flowing process, wherein P1>P3; or if a time intervalbetween a time at which the inhalation airflow is detected and a time atwhich the power supply previously stops outputting power to the heatingelement is greater than the second threshold TN, controlling the powersupply to output the first power P1 to the heating element in the firsttime period T1 in the inhalation airflow flowing process, and to outputthe second power P2 to the heating element in the second time period T2immediately following the first time period T1 in the inhalation airflowflowing process, wherein P1>P2, and when flowing of the inhalationairflow ends or when the power supply continuously outputs power for atime period greater than the first threshold TM, controlling the powersupply to stop outputting power to the heating element.
 18. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 17, wherein the controllingmethod further comprises the following steps: starting from a moment atwhich the power supply stops outputting power to the heating element,when the inhalation airflow is not detected in a duration greater than athird threshold TO, controlling the electronic cigarette to enter astandby state or a turn-off state, wherein TO≥TN.
 19. The electroniccigarette according to claim 17, wherein the controlling method furthercomprises the following steps: starting from a moment at which the powersupply stops outputting power to the heating element, when theinhalation airflow is not detected in a duration exceeding the secondthreshold TN, determining that the time interval between the time atwhich the inhalation airflow is detected and the time at which the powersupply previously stops outputting power to the heating element isgreater than the second threshold TN, and stopping timing.
 20. Theelectronic cigarette according to claim 17, wherein the first timeperiod T1 is started for timing since a moment at which the inhalationairflow is detected.